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Honda Assists With "Next Steps" For Mankind
hedonisticaltruism writes "The CBC reports that Honda has just unveiled a new walking-assist device that enhances the walking motion rather than just providing transportation. The device braces and strengthens natural leg movements primarily in walking and crouching. They're looking to market this to rehabilitation cases, the handicapped and industries requiring repetitive crouching and walking movements such as factory work and delivery services."
"And here I've been [walking] on my own all this time like a sucker..."
... welcome our new bionic overlords.
Just last week, I had to order PT evals for two separate patients at the facility I nurse at. Both have Parkinsons, and are in the process of a steady decline with their ability to walk. One is getting her first walker, the other is going to get evaluated to see if there is any possible walker out there to keep him active. Something like this looks promising in the extreme. It would help when they freeze up. I wonder if they could set it to help the patient control their gate, elongating steps, to avoid shuffling.
Nothing hides evidence like a stew. -Gus Pratt
From just looking at the picture, it appears that the device is anchored to the crotch. And from the prominence of that guys package being crunched and the expression on his face, I don't mean that in a GOOD way.
If this thing stalls while you're out on a walk, does it come with roadside assistance, or do you need to call a friend to give you a jump?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8cLnf4Nrjs
Actually, in Japan, that is a GOOD thing.
Not only does it help you walk, but it crushes your balls as well.
A privilege usually reserved for the executive class.
I'm gonna bore my Grandkids to death like my Granparents did to me...
Me: Yep, back in my day we used to walk!
Kids: Grandma! Grandpas making up stories again!
Sure it's great for your hips and knees, but how many of you ride bikes? How can you spend hours on the saddle like that? Back when I rode a bike, it take long at all for my penis to go completely numb and fall asleep. It's like falling asleep on your arm except ITS YOUR PENIS. And the tingling pins and needles as it "wakes up" is NOT the good tingly feeling down there. Seriously, it's kind of scary. Your inguinal area is not constructed to hold all your weight. I haven't ridden a bike in years because of this.
That robot's saddle doesn't look any better. If I were doing a job that required squatting like that, I would prefer a short stool with casters on it. If their workers have to stand and squat 6 times a minute (just an arbitrary example) all shift, they really need to look at their processes.
I know that this is really only a beta for mobility devices for the elderly. In that case, I would guess grandpa doesn't need his penis anymore anyway.
More music, fewer hits
If I get one of these, I'm gonna tell everyone to bite my shiny metal ass.
Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
"Japanese robot company Cyberdyne... a belted device called HAL..."
Cyberdyne? HAL?? There's no _way_ i'm strapping one of these to my crotch!
I'm sorry Dave. Hasta la Vista, baby.
There may be no "I" in team, but there's also no "F" in way.
It doesn't look like it has a large power source--how much of it's assist is actually mechanical vs. tricks with springs and stuff that exerts force in the correct direction without any computer/electrical help?
This idea was invented by shampoo!
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I worked for about ten years fixing, what else, Japanese copy machines (yes I know, a low rung of the geek ladder; but, there I was). In truth I really enjoyed the work.
However, I eventually had to quit, like many others, because of my knees. the constant kneeling and crawling got to me and I was, simply, unable to do it any more.
Many of the people I worked with used electronic pain control devices, literally, wired into their bodies. Others consumed significant quantities of pain reducers. Most eventually leave the industry depriving it of many experienced workers. Me, I am back to working on my MBA so I can join the ranks of the undereducated unemployed.
It is possible that, with devices like this, people will be able to do jobs that require frequent, un-natural, movement and positions longer and in significantly greater comfort. Remember, we are leaving the, short lived, era of retirements and pensions. People will need to be able to work far longer into their lives.
Uses probably not apparent to the Honda engineers: great for special forces soldiers who have to run around craggy, rocky mountainous terrain.
I'd be surprised if the US Army isn't looking into something like this for special forces who do a lot of walking and crouching.
A slightly modified design could incorporate a running assist for a soldier to quickly accelerate to 20mph while running for a sustained distance.
This Sig does not Exist.